War for the Planet of the Apes: the Nature of Our Humanity

What is the nature of humanity? Is humanity being human? In the unspoken scene in Director Matt Reeves’s “War for the Planet of the Apes”, the mute blonde girl, played by amazing Amaih Miller, cries as she takes the cherry blossom flower from her hair and places upon the fallen ape, who sacrificed to save Simian messiah Caesar, played by powerful Andy Serkis. The cherry blossom was the gift of kindness from the Ape. No words are spoken as tears fall from the girl’s eyes, and Michael Giacchino’s eloquent score breaks our hearts. Humanity is valuing all life and seeing the nobility in that life.

That is the beauty of Writer and Director Matt Reeves’s “War for the Planet of the Apes”. His narrative imagery is pristine and bold. The movie opens in the misty forest as Special Forces commandos attack the outpost of Ape Leader Caesar. Caesar demonstrating his acute strategy defeats the soldiers. He sends a message to the survivors, “I did not start this war…” In this final chapter of the trilogy, Caesar distinguishes himself as the brave merciful leader hoping to coexist with Man, who only seeks the annihilation of the Apes. But Caesar suffers tragedy at the hands of the Colonel, played by charismatic manic Woody Harrelson. The Colonel is without mercy, and now the noble Caesar wants his revenge.

The imagery of “War for the Planet of the Apes” is stunning. Michael Seresin’s cinematography is astounding. He opens with the misty forest weapons battle. The snowy prison compound run by the Colonel is austere and foreboding. He captures the freedom and spirit of our heroes as their horses gallop along the beach at sunset. The visual portraits give life to the poignant narrative written by Reeves and Mark Bomback.

Andy Serkis is a wonder as Caesar. His performance is the masterful blend of CGI and powerful actor. We see the compassion, fear, and courage in Caesar’s human eyes and gentle visage. As Caesar we believe in the humanity of his kind, and doubt our own. Caesar’s defining other is Harrelson’s Colonel, who embodies man’s inhumanity to all. Harrelson’s Colonel is a take on Colonel Kurtz from “Apocalypse Now” and “The Heart of Darkness”. His madness is visceral. He tells Caesar of his own actions, “You are taking this way too personal.” Reeves eloquently unveils the Colonel’s own tragic irony.

In the storyline, the Simian Virus mutates Apes with great intellect and speaking language. Conversely, the virus robs humans of speaking, and devolves them to the vastly primitive animal. Reeves brilliantly intertwines the captivating dialogue and sign language of the evolving Apes. This represents the new stage of evolution and the new order. However, even evolution meets with resistance, especially in the human concerns.

Perhaps, mercy is the most profound distinction of humanity. Reeves powerfully explores this in “War”. There is not black and white resolution in the gray nature of the world we live. I think Reeves spends a little too much time in the snowy Ape prison, time slowly ebbs there. However, “War” has distinct power and nobility. It’s amazing that the story of evolving Apes inspire, and make us think about our own humanity. Have compassion and value all life. The Ape leader Caesar reminds of this, and so does Director Reeves. “War for the Planet of the Apes” is one of the year’s best. It makes us look into our very souls, as well.

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Originally Published on IMDb